[[Image:OldSanJuan Houses Pastel.JPG|thumb|240px|Houses in Old San Juan]]

[[Image:OldSanJuan Houses Pastel.JPG|thumb|240px|Houses in Old San Juan]]

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'''San Juan''' is the capital of, and at about 395,000, the largest city in, [[Puerto Rico]]. It has one of the best harbors in the Caribbean. The city celebrates its fifth century in 2008 or 2021, depending on whether one counts from the founding of the original settlement at Caparra or the act of moving the Caparra settlement to Puerto Rico isle (now [[Old San Juan]]).

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'''San Juan''' is the capital of and largest city in [[Puerto Rico]], with a population of about 395,000. It has one of the best harbors in the Caribbean. The city celebrates its fifth century in 2008 or 2021, depending on whether one counts from the founding of the original settlement at Caparra or the act of moving the Caparra settlement to Puerto Rico isle (now [[Old San Juan]]).

==Districts==

==Districts==

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* [[San Juan/Santurce|Santurce]] - a historical part of Puerto Rico and the cultural capital, having two art museums and a performing arts center.

* [[San Juan/Santurce|Santurce]] - a historical part of Puerto Rico and the cultural capital, having two art museums and a performing arts center.

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* [[San Juan/Guaynabo|Guaynabo]] - A part of San Juan home to many international companies, like Heineken, Colgate, Fedex.

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* [[San Juan/Miramar|Miramar]] - a residential area near El Condado, known for expensive and historical houses.

* [[San Juan/Miramar|Miramar]] - a residential area near El Condado, known for expensive and historical houses.

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*'''Mexicana''' (Mexico City)

*'''Mexicana''' (Mexico City)

*'''PAWA Dominicana''' (Santo Domingo)

*'''PAWA Dominicana''' (Santo Domingo)

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*'''Southwest''' (Houston)

*'''United Air Lines''' (Dulles, Washington D.C.)

*'''United Air Lines''' (Dulles, Washington D.C.)

*'''Virgin Atlantic''' (Antigua, London-Gatwick)

*'''Virgin Atlantic''' (Antigua, London-Gatwick)

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===By taxi===

===By taxi===

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Taxis can be found hanging around hotels and the east end of Calle de la Fortaleza in Old San Juan. In theory, they are supposed to be metered (the rates are posted on doors), except for a selection of common tourist routes with fixed fares. In practice, cabbies are well aware that tourists tend to have no idea what those fixed fares are and charge according to what they feel like. For reference, the official fares as of January 2009 are:

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Taxis can be found hanging around hotels and the east end of Calle de la Fortaleza in Old San Juan. In theory, they are supposed to be metered (the rates are posted on doors), except for a selection of common tourist routes with fixed fares. In practice, cabbies are well aware that tourists tend to have no idea what those fixed fares are and charge according to what they feel like. For reference, the official fares as of January 2014 are:

* '''Airport-Zone 1 (Luis Muñoz Marín Airport)''': Starting Point

* '''Airport-Zone 1 (Luis Muñoz Marín Airport)''': Starting Point

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** Chateau de Cervantes

** Chateau de Cervantes

** Howard Johnson Plaza de Armas

** Howard Johnson Plaza de Armas

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** Milano

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** Milano Hotel

** Normandie

** Normandie

** D'A Haus

** D'A Haus

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** Puerto Rico Convention Center

** Puerto Rico Convention Center

** Isla Grande Airport

** Isla Grande Airport

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** Sheraton Convention Center

** Courtyard by Marriott

** Courtyard by Marriott

** San Juan Miramar

** San Juan Miramar

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* Airport-Plaza Las Américas: $18

* Airport-Plaza Las Américas: $18

* Airport-Plaza Carolina: $14

* Airport-Plaza Carolina: $14

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* Airport-Belz Factory Outlet: $46

* Airport-Coliseo José M. Agrelot: $14

* Airport-Coliseo José M. Agrelot: $14

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* Airport-Belz Factory Outlet: $46

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* Airport-Prime Outlets: $80

Authorized taxi stands at the airport and cruise ship piers often write up vouchers.

Authorized taxi stands at the airport and cruise ship piers often write up vouchers.

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'''Additional Fees'''

'''Additional Fees'''

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* Fuel Surcharge: $2 per trip

* Luggage: $1 per piece

* Luggage: $1 per piece

* Extra Passenger (6th and 7th): $2 per person

* Extra Passenger (6th and 7th): $2 per person

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For any issues with cabs, contact the Tourist Transportation Department at 787-999-2100 ext. 4502 between 7:30AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

For any issues with cabs, contact the Tourist Transportation Department at 787-999-2100 ext. 4502 between 7:30AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

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===By train===

===By train===

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San Juan now served by a rapid transit rail line called "Tren Urbano" (Urban Train) [http://www.ati.gobierno.pr/]. The line connects San Juan to the towns of [[Guaynabo, Puerto Rico|Guaynabo]] and [[Bayamón]], but it avoids points of interest like Old San Juan, Condado, Isla Verde, and the airport, and is thus in practice useless for most tourists. But if you want to give it a spin anyway:

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San Juan is now served by a rapid transit rail line called "Tren Urbano" (Urban Train) [http://www.ati.gobierno.pr/]. The line connects San Juan to the towns of [[Guaynabo, Puerto Rico|Guaynabo]] and [[Bayamón]], but it avoids points of interest like Old San Juan, Condado, Isla Verde, and the airport, and is thus in practice useless for most tourists. But if you want to give it a spin anyway:

- Take the ''Acua Expreso'' ferry from Old San Juan to the financial district, where you'll find the "Hato Rey" station right next to the ferry dock. The actual ferry is temporarily discontinued for maintenance, but there is a replacement shuttle that will take your $1 ferry ticket and drop you off at Hato Rey.

- Take the ''Acua Expreso'' ferry from Old San Juan to the financial district, where you'll find the "Hato Rey" station right next to the ferry dock. The actual ferry is temporarily discontinued for maintenance, but there is a replacement shuttle that will take your $1 ferry ticket and drop you off at Hato Rey.

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- Explore the town of Rio Piedras by getting off at Universidad or Rio Piedras stations and making your way down the colorful Avenida Juan Ponce de León. Explore the side streets and alleys to discover some wonderful street art.

- Explore the town of Rio Piedras by getting off at Universidad or Rio Piedras stations and making your way down the colorful Avenida Juan Ponce de León. Explore the side streets and alleys to discover some wonderful street art.

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There are discounted fares for students, children and elderly people on both the buses and the train.

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Tickets are $0.75 per ride irrespective of distance. There are ticket machines accepting cash and credit cards at all stations. The magnetic tickets they issue are rechargeable and also usable to pay your fare on the bus. There are discounted fares for students, children and elderly people on both the buses and the train.

==Talk==

==Talk==

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* '''The Teatro Tapia''', (787) 721-0169 or (787) 721-0180. Built in 1832, this is one of the oldest theaters in the Western Hemisphere. This building, which was named after Alejandro Tapia y Rivera, has been remodeled twice, once in 1949 and once in 1987. Plays, ballets, and other concerts and events are held here.

* '''The Teatro Tapia''', (787) 721-0169 or (787) 721-0180. Built in 1832, this is one of the oldest theaters in the Western Hemisphere. This building, which was named after Alejandro Tapia y Rivera, has been remodeled twice, once in 1949 and once in 1987. Plays, ballets, and other concerts and events are held here.

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*<do name="Flavors of San Juan Food and Culture Tours" alt="(FOSJ)" address="" directions="" phone="787-964-2447" url="www.sanjuanfoodtours.com" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Local tour operator running daily foodie walking tours, as well as cooking classes, market tours, coffee tastings, and rum tastings. Flavors of San Juan gives an exclusive taste of local food, rum, and coffee in the most memorable restaurants and markets of San Juan. They take you away from the tourist traps to discover the history, the sweet secrets, and the savory enclaves that San Juaneros call home.</do>

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*<do name="Flavors of San Juan Food and Culture Tours" alt="" address="Old San Juan" directions="" phone="787-964-2447" url="http://www.sanjuanfoodtours.com/" hours="10am-1pm (tues-sun) &amp; 4:30pm-7:30pm (tues-sat)" price="" lat="" long="" of="of" san="San">Local tour operator running daily foodie walking tours, as well as cooking classes and rum tastings. Flavors of San Juan gives an exclusive taste of [http://www.sanjuanfootours.com/old-san-juan-food-tour/ '''local food'''], rum, and coffee in the most memorable restaurants and streets of San Juan. They take you away from the tourist traps to discover the history, the sweet secrets, and the savory enclaves that San Juaneros call home.</do>

==Learn==

==Learn==

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==Sleep==

==Sleep==

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San Juan has a wide range of accommodation, from luxury resorts to European-style youth hostels. Colonial-style city hotels are clustered in [[San Juan/Old San Juan|Old San Juan]], while the big beachfront resorts are mostly out in [[San Juan/Condado|Condado]] and [[San Juan/Isla Verde|Isla Verde]].

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San Juan has a wide range of accommodation, from luxury resorts to European-style youth hostels. Colonial-style city hotels are clustered in [[San Juan/Old San Juan|Old San Juan]], while the big beachfront resorts are mostly out in [[San Juan/El_Condado|Condado]] and [[San Juan/Isla Verde|Isla Verde]].

You'll be looking at $90 per night for a basic hotel room, and well north of $300 per night for a five-star resort. However, discounts are available in summer (low) season.

You'll be looking at $90 per night for a basic hotel room, and well north of $300 per night for a five-star resort. However, discounts are available in summer (low) season.

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===Budget===

===Budget===

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There are a number of vacation apartments which are walking distance to the beach, comfortable with fully equipped kitchen for saving money meals. You can find these individually-owned apartments in either condos in front of the beach in Isla verde or in areas in Ocean Park and Condado walking distance to beach.

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There are a number of vacation apartments which are walking distance to the beach, comfortable with fully equipped kitchen for saving money on meals. You can find these individually-owned apartments in either condos in front of the beach in Isla verde or in areas in Ocean Park and Condado walking distance to beach.

You might not have the daily housekeeping service but this option is good to receive a more authentic stay rather than in the sterile unchanging hotel. These accommodations can vary from $50-$80

You might not have the daily housekeeping service but this option is good to receive a more authentic stay rather than in the sterile unchanging hotel. These accommodations can vary from $50-$80

San Juan is a huge city with several district articles containing sightseeing, restaurant, nightlife and accommodation listings — have a look at each of them.

Houses in Old San Juan

San Juan is the capital of and largest city in Puerto Rico, with a population of about 395,000. It has one of the best harbors in the Caribbean. The city celebrates its fifth century in 2008 or 2021, depending on whether one counts from the founding of the original settlement at Caparra or the act of moving the Caparra settlement to Puerto Rico isle (now Old San Juan).

Districts

Old San Juan - the historic part of the city, home to most historic attractions, galleries and museums.

Puerta de Tierra - located between Old San Juan and El Condado, this largely residential area is home to a few hotels and attractions.

El Condado - this upscale residential neighborhood is also the beach resort part of the city and has many hotels and restaurants along its main thoroughfare, Ashford Ave.

Isla Verde - Isla Verde is actually located in the adjacent municipality of Carolina, within the larger metro area. It is closest to the international airport and has nice beaches and parks.

International Convention Center District - now has the new Convention Center which includes a fountain that plays traditional Puerto Rican music and Occidental classical music and in the near-future will also include a hotel, restaurants and shopping centers.

Hato Rey - the business center, hosting the main banks, Hiram Bithorn Stadium, Roberto Clemente Coliseum, Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, and Plaza las Americas, the largest shopping center in the Caribbean. Plaza las Americas has the Caribbean's only Macy's, as well as a JC Penney and the world's largest Sears store.

Rio Piedras - home of the main campus of the University of Puerto Rico. It is a former municipality and is now part of the city of San Juan.

Santurce - a historical part of Puerto Rico and the cultural capital, having two art museums and a performing arts center.

Guaynabo - A part of San Juan home to many international companies, like Heineken, Colgate, Fedex.

Miramar - a residential area near El Condado, known for expensive and historical houses.

Understand

Location

A watchtower in the fort of El Morro, guarding San Juan

San Juan is the oldest city under the jurisdiction of the United States. San Juan is in the northeast of the island of Puerto Rico, and features distinctly century-old architecture, such as Spanish military forts built from the 1540s to 1800s, an active harbor, and a very active economic area in the Hato Rey district. It features magnificent beaches, hotels, plazas, historic sites, museums, and so on.

San Juan has a land area of about 76 square miles. The city's population is approximately 395,000.

Climate

San Juan is a tropical city with summer daytime high near 90 degrees and summer nights in the high 70s. Summer includes high humidity making the outdoors feel very hot and muggy. The months of April through November will see frequent rain and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Puerto Rico also has the possibility of being hit by hurricanes and tropical storms from July to November. Winter is quite pleasant in San Juan. Temperatures typically range in the low 80s during the day, and low 70s at night.

Culture

San Juan is a Latin American city with Spanish-based culture mixed with African traditions, Taíno culture, and an American influence. Museums of modern art exist abroad. The citizens of San Juan are very festive, as on the rest of the island. San Juan has bars and discotheques all around the city, from Old San Juan to even the southern part of the city, that stay open to 3:00 or 4:00AM. San Juan has become very modernized as of late, with its first metro train line (called Tren Urbano) and buses. Poverty and crime remain significant issues.

San Juan is the financial capital of Puerto Rico. There are facilities for petroleum and sugar refining, and pharmaceuticals.

By plane

San Juan is served by Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (IATA: SJU), a large international hub airport about 14 km away in the city of Carolina. SJU is one of the most important hubs in the Caribbean, alongside Miami and Panama City. As with most Caribbean airports, the airport's architecture is rather run-down and dated, with the exception of the new JetBlue terminal in Concourse C.

All major U.S. airlines operate scheduled services linking SJU to various destinations on the mainland, with seasonal air charters operating additional routes.

Most travellers opt to rent a car here or take a taxi (fixed fares of $15-25 to most points in the city, plus an extra $1 per luggage item). If you have more time than money, you can take public bus B-40 to Rio Piedras and connect onward to your destination in the city with another local bus or elsewhere on the island with a público (best only attempted in the morning). Correct change is necessary. No dollar bills are accepted.

Get around

There are pros and cons to the various methods of getting around San Juan.

Rental car

Getting around various parts of the city, and the rest of the island, as well as to and from the airport, will be much more convenient with a car. Though road signs are in Spanish, the road sign shapes are going to be as familiar to you if you are used to American road signs. And when you see the word norte sitting above a numbered-road sign enough times, it won't take you long to realize that means north. However, a car may entail paying parking fees as you travel around to your destinations so you will need to budget for that. If you go to Old San Juan, parking may be expensive and quite difficult (see that article for how to find the few parking garages there).

Driving in San Juan is very similar to driving in the cities of the northeast U.S. like Boston or New York. People drive quickly, change lanes with little notice, and frequently tailgate, despite narrow streets. Natives of areas with more placid driving styles like the U.S. Midwest may find it frightening, though.

None of the rental car agencies are within walking distance of the terminals, and the shuttle pickup curbs are not clearly marked or signed, so don't be afraid to ask for help in finding them. Avis and Hertz have their lots located on the airport grounds less than a quarter of a mile from the terminals, and the shuttle trip to and from their facilities is quick and predictable. All other agencies, including Thrifty and Dollar, are located at least one mile away or farther out. You must budget that extra 20 minutes into your planning or you may miss your return flight.

If you are a resident of the United States, check with your auto insurer to see if it already covers you in PR--most do. However, while that means you can decline the collision insurance, you should still take the loss damage waiver (even though it's expensive) as auto collisions in Puerto Rico are common (you will see a lot of dented fenders) and parking spaces in PR are not as large or forgiving as those on the mainland.

Puerto Rico is still using simple paint to mark lanes rather than modern thermoplastic striping. Unfortunately, paint fades fast in the tropical heat and rain, so road markings are hard to see or completely worn away on many roads. In poorer neighborhoods of San Juan, look out for missing manhole covers and huge potholes.

Like much of Latin American and the Caribbean, proper street signs aren't on every corner of San Juan, which makes a good street map (with landmarks) or a GPS navigation system essential. Only Condado and Ocean Park have excellent street signage comparable to those taken for granted in mainland U.S. cities.

The closest place to refuel a rental car before returning it is the Puma gas station on the frontage road ("Calle Marginal") off eastbound PR-26 (Expreso Loiza), at the intersection with Calle Heriberto. Once you're done there, you can continue down the road to Thrifty or Dollar, or keep going to the next underpass to loop around and head west towards the airport.

By bus

The public bus system in San Juan is inexpensive at only 75 cents a ride. Only coins are accepted on board so stock up on those quarters! (5c and 10c coins are fine too). The bus stops are marked "PARADA", and the system is currently being reworked to fit in with a new train line. If you're planning on staying in and around a general area of San Juan, you may be able to get by on public transportation. When you see your bus coming, be sure to wave/flag it down otherwise it may just pass you by!

Take notice; contrary to some bus schedules (even ones posted at the bus stops themselves) that state buses may arrive every 15 minutes or so, service can be infrequent and very unpredictable. You may wait anywhere from 5 to 90 minutes for a bus to arrive. Rush hour buses can be very full; and while some buses have been refurbished, others definitely show a lack of maintenance. Additionally, traffic gets very heavy heading into Old San Juan, so once you board the bus you still are not guaranteed a quick trip. If going into Old San Juan, some useful bus routes include A-5 (from Isla Verde via Mirimar) and B-21 (from Condado). Old San Juan, near the harbor front, has a major bus station for catching numerous routes.

Visitors may find that bus routes directly to and from places of interest around San Juan do not exist, and that a transfer with additional waiting times are involved. Plan your trips wisely as buses generally may stop running around 9:00pm. If you have little time to see/do what you'd like, you'd be better served using a taxi or renting a car.

Also, have in mind, if you are planning to get back to the airport by bus, some bus drivers may not let you board the bus with carry-on baggage. You may want to plan in advance to take a taxi back to the airport if your hotel has no shuttle. Carrying baggage on the city bus tends to be less of an issue when you initally head from the airport.

Check with AMA [3] (Spanish only) to inquire about routes and times. The AMA does not publish a map, but an online bus route map does exist. [4]

There is a free trolley bus routes around Old San Juan - look out for the numbered signs.

As for getting around the rest of the island of Puerto Rico, there are no convenient buses connecting San Juan to the rest of the island. There are vans that are like group taxis with specific routes called "guaguas." You can inquire about trips outside of San Juan at the guagua terminal in Rio Piedras. But keep in mind, guaguas may make multiple stops to maximize revenue, and it could take ages to get you to where you are going on the island.

By ferry

The Cataño Ferry (La Lancha de Cataño) is a public ferry serving Old San Juan and Cataño. It crosses San Juan Bay every 15-30 minutes.

By taxi

Taxis can be found hanging around hotels and the east end of Calle de la Fortaleza in Old San Juan. In theory, they are supposed to be metered (the rates are posted on doors), except for a selection of common tourist routes with fixed fares. In practice, cabbies are well aware that tourists tend to have no idea what those fixed fares are and charge according to what they feel like. For reference, the official fares as of January 2014 are:

Airport-Zone 1 (Luis Muñoz Marín Airport): Starting Point

Airport-Zone 2 (Isla Verde): $10

Isla Verde Beach

Club Gallístico de Puerto Rico (Cockfights)

Ritz Carlton Hotel

El San Juan Hotel

Intercontinental Hotel

San Juan Water & Beach Club

Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde

Holiday Inn San Juan

Embassy Suites

Hampton Inn

ESJ Towers

Isla Verde Mall

Airport-Zone 3 (Condado & Miramar): $15

Condado Beach

Plaza Ventana al Mar

Ocean Park Beach

San Juan Marriott

Condado Plaza

La Concha, A Renaissance Resort

Radisson Ambassador

Doubletree by Hilton San Juan

Hostería del Mar

Numero 1 on the Beach

Tres Palmas Inn

Cartier

Louis Vouitton

Chaumet

Mont Blanc

Ashford Presbyterian Community Hospital

Airport-Zone 4 (Old San Juan/Piers/Puerta De Tierra & Miramar): $19

San Felipe del Morro Fort

Fort San Cristóbal

Capitol Building

San Juan Cathedral

La Fortaleza (Governor's Mansion)

Cuartel de Ballajá

San Juan Museum

Plaza de Armas

Miguel Domenech Gallery at La Princesa

Old San Juan to Cataño Ferry

Sheraton Old San Juan

San Juan Suites

El Convento Hotel

Chateau de Cervantes

Howard Johnson Plaza de Armas

Milano Hotel

Normandie

D'A Haus

Caribe Hilton

Pier 1

Pier 2

Pier 3

Pier 4

Navy Frontier Pier

Pan-American Pier

Airport-Zone 5 (Convention Center & Isla Grande Airport): $15

Puerto Rico Convention Center

Isla Grande Airport

Sheraton Convention Center

Courtyard by Marriott

San Juan Miramar

Hotel Miramar

Hotel Olimpo Court

Airport-Plaza Las Américas: $18

Airport-Plaza Carolina: $14

Airport-Coliseo José M. Agrelot: $14

Airport-Belz Factory Outlet: $46

Airport-Prime Outlets: $80

Authorized taxi stands at the airport and cruise ship piers often write up vouchers.
for travel between those two points that cost more than the above fare on
days cruise ships are dropping off and taking on passengers.

Piers-Old San Juan: $6

Piers-Puerta de Tierra: $6

Piers-Condado/Miramar: $10

Piers-Isla Verde: $16

Metered rates apply for areas between and beyond tourist zones.

Additional Fees

Fuel Surcharge: $2 per trip

Luggage: $1 per piece

Extra Passenger (6th and 7th): $2 per person

Late Night Charge (10PM - 6AM): $1 extra

Tolls are to be paid by the passenger.

A 10-15% tip is expected but not required.

For any issues with cabs, contact the Tourist Transportation Department at 787-999-2100 ext. 4502 between 7:30AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

By train

San Juan is now served by a rapid transit rail line called "Tren Urbano" (Urban Train) [5]. The line connects San Juan to the towns of Guaynabo and Bayamón, but it avoids points of interest like Old San Juan, Condado, Isla Verde, and the airport, and is thus in practice useless for most tourists. But if you want to give it a spin anyway:

- Take the Acua Expreso ferry from Old San Juan to the financial district, where you'll find the "Hato Rey" station right next to the ferry dock. The actual ferry is temporarily discontinued for maintenance, but there is a replacement shuttle that will take your $1 ferry ticket and drop you off at Hato Rey.

- Take a city bus to a station, e.g., M3 from the Old San Juan bus terminal to Sagrado Corazon.

- Explore the town of Rio Piedras by getting off at Universidad or Rio Piedras stations and making your way down the colorful Avenida Juan Ponce de León. Explore the side streets and alleys to discover some wonderful street art.

Tickets are $0.75 per ride irrespective of distance. There are ticket machines accepting cash and credit cards at all stations. The magnetic tickets they issue are rechargeable and also usable to pay your fare on the bus. There are discounted fares for students, children and elderly people on both the buses and the train.

Talk

Spanish is the dominant language in San Juan and throughout Puerto Rico. English is also widely spoken and understood (approximately one-third of the population speaks English "Very Well" or better according to the U.S. Census). Most businesses within the tourist areas of the city are fully fluent in English and those businesses tend to hire employees who are bilingual, thus speaking English very well. In addition, English is widely taught in high schools, with most students understanding some basic English. As a visitor, be prepared to use some high school level Spanish to drivers to communicate about luggage, restaurants, or anything not a normal tourist spot.

See

El Morro from San Cristóbal

El Castillo San Felipe del Morro "El Morro" : is a sixteenth-century citadel that lies on the northwestern-most point of the islet of San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is part of San Juan National Historic Site and was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations in 1983.

El Castillo de San Cristóbal, (787) 729-6960. A Spanish fort in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was built by the Spaniards to protect against land based attacks on the city of San Juan. It is part of San Juan National Historic Site. It covers 27 acres of land and is 150 ft tall. Open every day from 9AM to 6PM.

Palacio de Santa Catalina "La Fortaleza" (or The Fortress in English) is the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico, who is Puerto Rico's head of Government. It was built between 1533 and 1540 to defend the harbor of San Juan. The structure is also known as El Palacio de Santa Catalina (or Palace of Santa Catalina). It is the oldest executive mansion in the New World. La Fortaleza was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

El Catedral de San Juan Bautista: contains the tomb of the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León. It was built in the 1520's, soon to be wrecked by a hurricane, and then rebuilt in 1540. After being rebuilt, it was robbed in the late 1500's, and then, in 1615, it was damaged by a hurricane. In 1917, a lot of changes were made to restore the building. Tours are given daily from 8:30AM-4PM.

Castillo de San Jerónimo is a small fort located in the entrance to what is known today as Condado, Puerto Rico lagoon in San Juan. The fort defended San Juan from attacks by Sir Francis Drake in 1595, Sir George Clifford "Earl of Cumberland" in 1598 and Sir Ralph Abercromby.

Iglesia de San Jose dates back to 1523. This building was originally called the Church and Monastery of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Before Ponce de Leon was moved to the San Juan Catedral, his body was buried here for 300 years.

Ayuntamiento or Alcaldia or City Hall.

The municipal cemetery of Santa María Madgalena de Pazzis, located just outside the city walls.

Fuerte San Geronimo is a fort that was built to tighten defense within the city. There is a small museum inside.

Centro de Bellas Artes is the largest fine arts center in the Caribbean. Concerts, Plays, and Operas are hosted here. This fine arts center opened in 1981.

Bacardi Rum Factory, (787)788-8400, [6]. M-Sa 9AM-4:30PM, Sunday from 10AM-3:30PM. Also called the "Cathedral of Rum" and covers 127 acres. Free tour, including a trolley ride around the premises.

Do

Condado Beach

Check out the beaches in Condado and Isla Verde.

A popular point of interest is Old San Juan, a 7-block area that has become popular for tourists as well as residents. The narrow streets of old San Juan are packed with people so it is recommended to experience Old San Juan by foot in order to avoid too much traffic. You can take a taxi for less than $20 from most hotels but for .75 you can also take the B21 bus which picks up from many locations near the hotels and is very easy to use.

Check out the parks in San Juan.

Central Park is the park to visit if you're looking for traditional activities such as jogging, tennis, baseball, etc.

La Marquesa Canopy Tour - Located about 30 minutes outside of San Juan in Guaynabo you can tour the La Marquesa Forest Reserve via zip line. It is a low impact experience suitable for people of all ages. Those who are up for extreme adventure travel may find this a little too easy.

Garfield, 7558 calle del cristo (go far west), ☎(787)721-2500.

Munoz Rivera Park, Av. Ponce de León. Tu-Su 9AM-5PM. Located by the ocean and has beautiful trees and landscaping. A great place to tour by foot.

Parque de las Palomas overlooks La Princesa Jail. From this park you are able to see a great view of the mountains, harbor and the city.

The Casino of Puerto Rico is a large building with a 12 foot chandelier and an open ballroom, built right before World War I.

The Teatro Tapia, (787) 721-0169 or (787) 721-0180. Built in 1832, this is one of the oldest theaters in the Western Hemisphere. This building, which was named after Alejandro Tapia y Rivera, has been remodeled twice, once in 1949 and once in 1987. Plays, ballets, and other concerts and events are held here.

Flavors of San Juan Food and Culture Tours, Old San Juan, ☎787-964-2447, [7]. 10am-1pm (tues-sun) & 4:30pm-7:30pm (tues-sat). Local tour operator running daily foodie walking tours, as well as cooking classes and rum tastings. Flavors of San Juan gives an exclusive taste of local food, rum, and coffee in the most memorable restaurants and streets of San Juan. They take you away from the tourist traps to discover the history, the sweet secrets, and the savory enclaves that San Juaneros call home.

Learn

Ateneo de Puerto Rico (museum) Founded in 1876, it is the largest cultural institution in Puerto Rico. Art contests and classes are held here as well. Hours are M-F 9AM to 4:30PM. (787) 722-4839.

Casa del Libro, (787) 723-0354. Tu-Sa 11AM-4:30PM. A museum holding nearly 5,000 early works of manuscripts and books, some as from as old as the 15th century. This museum is most known for having two royal mandates signed by Ferdinand and Isabella concerning arranging Columbus' fleet for his second voyage.

Cuartel de Ballaja, (787) 724-5052. M-F 10AM-4PM, Sa,Su 11AM-5PM. Guided tours M-F 10:30AM, 11:30AM, 12:30PM and 2PM. Completed in 1863, and in 1881 a chapel was added. This building originally housed military personnel and is now a museum containing Caribbean and European American arts and artifacts. Free admission.

Felisa Rincón de Gautier Museum :At Calle Clara Lair. Open M-F 9AM-4PM. Felisa Rincón served as the mayor of the city of San Juan for 22 years, between 1946 and 1968. The museum that commemorates her memory is in a 300-year-old building. Free.

La Princesa (former municipal jail, now a history museum) Overlooks San Juan Bay. La Princesa was built in 1837. A beautiful structure that has beautiful landscaping. It is surrounded by a wall and contains many trees, as well as a fountain and a sculpture. Open M-F from 9AM to 4PM. (787) 721-2400.

Museo Nuestras Raíces Africanas( Our African Roots Museum), Plaza San José, Calle San Sebastián. Open Tu-Sa 8:30AM-8:30PM. This museum documents the African contribution to the sociology of Puerto Rico. Admission is $2 for adults; $1 for seniors, children, and students; free for ages 10 and under.

Museo de Arte ( Museum of Art), 299 Av. José de Diego, Santurce. Open Tu and Th-Sa 10AM-5PM; W 10AM-8PM; Su 11AM-6PM. Puerto Rico's most important gallery, which opened in 2000 and was constructed at a cost of $55 million, is a state-of-the-art showcase for the island nation's rich cultural heritage. Admission is $6 for adults, $2.50 for seniors, $3 for children under age 12.

The Pablo Casals Museum, Calle San Sebastián 101, (787) 723-9185. Tu-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM. Casals came to Puerto Rico in the 1950s and was the conductor for the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra. The museum contains footage of his concerts as well as other pictures and manuscripts.

Spanish barracks (now museum de Ballaja)

Work

Employment opportunities in Puerto Rico are to be found in the varying sectors of the territory's economy; key among these are education, financial services, government (municipal, territorial & federal), pharmaceutical and tourism. Proficiency in both Spanish and English are among the key skills required by local employers.

Employers in Puerto Rico are required to verify the eligibility of prospective workers to accept employment in the United States[8].

Buy

The Butterfly People, 257 Calle de la Cruz, Old San Juan, Phone: 787-723-2432, [9]. Real butterflies encased in acrylic. Stunning. Go to see it, even if you don't buy.

Plaza las Américas, "The Center of it All", biggest mall in the Caribbean, containing more than 300 stores anchored by the world's largest JC Penney, plus Macy's, Lacoste, American Eagle, A|X and Sears. It has a movie theater and restaurants such as Chili's, Macaroni Grill, Margarita's and Tierra del Fuego. If you need or want to visit a good example of a modern, enclosed mall from the U.S. mainland, this won't disappoint.

Old San Juan, Shopping in Old San Juan is diverse, with retailers scattered among many narrow streets. Stores include many fine jewelers, arts, crafts and mercantil shops, at least one drug store, and a few branded "outlets". You'll also find numerous cafes and a few fine restaurants. For walkers, the humidity and tropical sun may make the mid-late afternoon temperatures a bit oppressive. Alternatives include going early as stores open (typically 10AM on weekdays) or catching a free trolley winding throughout the area, with opportunities to get off at marked stops wherever desired. The trolley tends to stay very full on afternoons when cruise ships are in.

Eat

San Juan is a huge city, so all individual listings should be moved to the appropriate district articles, and this section should contain a brief overview. Please help to move listings if you are familiar with this city.

Café Puerto Rico, Calle O'Donnell 208, ☎787 724-2281. 11:30AM-11PM. Creole cuisine. On the Plaza de Colón, enjoy the view along with a great meal. Great spot to stop for a drink, snack & conversation too. Live music weekends & some weekdays. Recently expanded to the second floor. Best meal: stuffed snapper (fillet + lobster, crab, shellfish in a flavorful broth) + rice & beans + sweet plantains. $9-$21 main course but order side dishes too.

El Alcázar, 1013 Ave. Roosevelt. New Spanish restaurant which serves a variety of "Tapas", seafood and several meats. Also has a variety of Wines. The ambience is romantic and live music is offered several times a month.

El Asador, The Grill Old San Juan 350 San Francisco St. (Old San Juan, Puerto Rico 00902), ☎ 787-289-9966, [6]. 10AM - 4AM 7 Days a Week. El Asador Bar Restaurant The Best Meats Cuts & Puertorrican Cuisine located at the entrance of Old San Juan, the heart of nightlife in the Old City. It is the most stylish and exclusive Bar Restaurant in San Juan, a two level Restaurant with an exterior patio the perfect environment for an exciting experience. Delight with an early lunch or a romantic dinner in one of the most beautiful interior patios of the Old City, or why not enjoy the best music and liveliest party in San Juan until sunrise. El Asador is a cozy and sophisticated Bar Restaurant, patronized by upscale, trendy, local and tourist.

Margarita's, Several locations including 3rd level at Plaza las Américas and 1013 Ave. Roosevelt, 787-792-0283. One of the traditional Mexican food restaurants that exists in the island.

Milagros y Sean's, Isla Verde. Delicious traditional home cooked Spanish food and half-edible Irish cuisine if you're not in the mood for good tasting things. Bartender makes great cocktails and pours a terrible Guiness. Lounge area with 90's hip-hop, R&B classics, and semi-tolerable fiddle.

Ostra Cosa, Calle del Cristo 154, Old San Juan, 787-722-2672. Daily 12PM-10PM. Reservations recommended. The ambience here is one of the most sensual and romantic in Old San Juan.

Pamela’s Caribbean Cuisine, 1 Calle Santa Ana Ocean Park, San Juan Puerto Rico 00911, ☎(787) 726-5010, [10]. Lunch 11AM to 3PM, tapas and appetizers 3PM to 6PM, and dinner from 6PM. Pamela’s Caribbean Cuisine is an award-winning San Juan restaurant popular for special occasions. Adjacent to Numero Uno Pamela’s is known not only for its exquisite Caribbean-fusion menu, but also for its one-of-a-kind beachside location.

Parrot Club, Calle Fortaleza 363, Old San Juan, 787-725-7370. Daily 12PM-3PM; 6PM-11PM. Live music, either Brazilian, salsa, or Latino jazz, is offered nightly as well as during the popular Sunday brunches.

Tantra is located at 356 Calle Fortaleza and serves international cuisine. Great creative and nightlife atmosphere. A warm, candlelit environment with great food and great martinis. Moderately priced, entrees run from around $13-$17. (787)977-8141.

Tierra del Fuego, 3rd Level at Plaza las Américas, 787-294-7019. One of the best Argentinean restaurants where you will be able to savor a tender, juicy cut of meat prepared by chefs and cooks who, together with the warm staff of waiters and hostesses, are without representation of a trade union that can defend their rights of having fair wages and benefits.

UVVA Restaurant, (787) 727-3302, 1 Calle Tapia, Ocean Park. International creative cuisine by Chef Jose Vicente is served from 8AM until 11PM. The ambiance is elegant and casual.

Drink

San Juan is a huge city, so all individual listings should be moved to the appropriate district articles, and this section should contain a brief overview. Please help to move listings if you are familiar with this city.

Nuyorican Cafe[11], Calle San Francisco #312. 787-977-1276. Good live music venue in Old San Juan. Salsa, Latin jazz, folkloric music.

Ristorante Pinoli, 404 De Diego Ave. Puerto Nuevo (Just off Roosevelt Ave. on the right), ☎787-273-1611, [12]. 12-3 6-10. This is one of the finest Italian restaurants in Puerto Rico. The menu is very creative with new dishes added based on the fresh ingredients available on any given day. This is a cloth napkin establishment. $30.

Pieria, 310 Fortaleza St., Old San Juan, [13]. Great bar and club in South Fortaleza St. This is the place where fashionable locals come to mingle in the weekends. Opens at 10PM and starts getting packed after Midnight.

BUNS Burger Shop, 1214 Ashford Ave. (In front of Marriott Hotel). 11:30am-4:00am. Great burger place with over 40 beers. High quality beef is their priority. $8-12.

Sleep

San Juan has a wide range of accommodation, from luxury resorts to European-style youth hostels. Colonial-style city hotels are clustered in Old San Juan, while the big beachfront resorts are mostly out in Condado and Isla Verde.

You'll be looking at $90 per night for a basic hotel room, and well north of $300 per night for a five-star resort. However, discounts are available in summer (low) season.

San Juan is a huge city, so all individual listings should be moved to the appropriate district articles, and this section should contain a brief overview. Please help to move listings if you are familiar with this city.

Budget

There are a number of vacation apartments which are walking distance to the beach, comfortable with fully equipped kitchen for saving money on meals. You can find these individually-owned apartments in either condos in front of the beach in Isla verde or in areas in Ocean Park and Condado walking distance to beach.

You might not have the daily housekeeping service but this option is good to receive a more authentic stay rather than in the sterile unchanging hotel. These accommodations can vary from $50-$80

Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde, 7012 Boca de Cangrejos ave., Phone: (787)791-0404. [15]. A beautiful hotel located on the gorgeous beach of Isla Verde just minutes from the international airport in San Juan, with several restaurants and a casino.

Doubletree by Hilton San Juan, 105 De Diego, Phone: (787)721-1200. [16]. Centrally located to the Airport, the beach, and Old San Juan. Free Wi-fi and a warm chocolate chip cookie upon arrival.

San Miguel Plaza Hotel[19] Lodging accommodations include free continental breakfast, parking, Internet, business center and gym, all for a low rate per room and the lowest tax rate, with no additional or hidden charges.

El Conquistador Resort, 1000 El Conquistador Avenue (Fajardo 00738 Puerto Rico), ☎787-863-1000, [23]. Located on the northeastern tip of Puerto Rico, near El Yunque Rain Forest and just four miles from the stores and attractions of downtown Fajardo and Las Croabas.

Hotel El Convento, 100 Cristo St., Phone: (787)723-9020. [24]. Located in the heart of Old San Juan, this Small Luxury Hotel was a Convent until the late 19th century. It has a 4 story courtyard with a pool on the roof and spectacular views of Old San Juan.

El San Juan Hotel & Casino, 6063 Isla Verde Avenue, ☎787-791-1000, [26]. Beachfront location in the Isla Verde district of San Juan and 15 minutes from the shopping, entertainment, and history of charming Old San Juan.

Stay safe

Use common sense when going around.

Most tourist areas, like the Old City, Condado, and Isla Verde tend to be very safe. There is a visible 24-hour police presence in the Old City. However, the La Perla slum next to the Old City is dangerous and should be avoided.

Use caution when riding a bicycle around the city as roads are often crowded and some are unpaved. Be sure to pay attention to the roadway on which you are riding and the traffic.

Pedestrians need to use similar caution in Old San Juan. While traffic usually is slower, the streets are narrow, and sidewalks very narrow, sometimes crowded, with occasional trip hazards.

Walking around San Juan at night is strongly discouraged due to the city's high crime rate. This applies to the beaches as well; tourists have been robbed and even killed while walking at night on the beaches in Condado and Isla Verde.

If you plan to partake in San Juan's nightlife, consider taking a cab, or be alert for potential carjackers. Red light running (after slowing to look for cross-traffic) is tolerated late at night in San Juan, like in the rest of Puerto Rico, due to the high rate of carjackings.

Get out

Arecibo - You can go see the Arecibo observatory and Cavernas del Rio Camuy (Camuy River Caverns) in the same day. Arecibo is about one hour west of San Juan.

Loiza - On the north coast of Loiza you will find Piñones, a great place to go to the beach and eat some of the best Puerto Rican fried food. Just minutes away from El Condado and Old San Juan.

Fajardo - In eastern Puerto Rico a nice trip to make is Las Cabezas de San Juan, a natural reserve, you will have a tour around the place where they will show you the different types of plants in the reserve and then the lighthouse which now serves as a small museum, the place has a spectacular view. Reservation is required.

Rio Grande - The Caribbean National Rain Forest or El Yunque is located here, a great place to spend the day with nature, enjoying an awesome view and walking between trees and small rivers. There are many different trails, the La Mina trail affords hikers to swim in a waterfall towards the middle of the trail.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!